Mazda may not make another rotary sports car, but it keeps the dream alive.
Since the 2012 demise of RX-8, Mazda’s fans have struggled to make ends meet. For years, they’ve been shown renderings and concepts for the new RX-7. It seems less likely that Mazda will ever release another rotary-powered sports vehicle.
Due to the fact that the rotary engine consumes a lot of fuel, it’s not likely to be changing anytime soon. This is due to stricter global emission requirements. For artistically gifted rotary enthusiasts, it’s still a lot of fun to imagine a modern, rotary-powered sports car.
These renders of the modern RX-7 were created by Sean Sweeney, an artist who draws inspiration from Mazda’s current Kodo design style. This car is unmistakably Mazda and unmistakably RX-7.
It is packed with enough design features (both new and familiar) to fit in as the Miata’s bigger brother. While it looks like a logical continuation and continuation of the legendary FD (especially its taillights), which were last sold in Japan in 2002.
Sean did an excellent job designing a car that would fit right in at Mazda’s Tokyo Motor Show booth. We’d love to make fun of Sweney’s idea and tell them to get on it before November. However, this would only disappoint the rotary loyal who have waited for a worthy successor to RX-7 for more than 20 years.
Although we might never see another rotary-powered sports vehicle, the spirit of the RX-7 is still present in almost every Mazda car sold, including the amazing Miata and their fun-to-drive workaday sedans, hatchbacks and even crossovers.